Research

Precision Vapor-Phase Deposition of Complex Oxides

One of our research aims is to develop precision vapor-phase deposition strategies for complex functional oxides, such as cerium-based oxides and perovskites, with sub-nanometer-scale control over thickness, composition, and interfaces. By enabling the deposition of oxides that are intrinsically challenging to process, we focus on tailoring oxide structures and interfaces to achieve desired functionalities. These advanced materials platforms are explored for applications in energy conversion, environmental control, and electronic devices.

Plastic Upcycling

Plastics are omnipresent in disposable and short-term applications such as food packaging and medical products. However, the serious drawback lies in the substantial volume of waste and pollution linked to plastics. Chemical recycling of plastic introduces a novel approach to repurpose plastic waste, wherein the discarded materials are transformed into valuable chemicals (e.g., lubricant, wax), fuels (e.g., methane, gasoline, diesel), or other materials with increased utility. Here, we aim to develop "cutting-edge" catalyst materials facilitating the effective and selective conversion of polymer materials into the desired chemical products by identifying fundamental reaction mechanisms, and thus to establish scalable processes.

Exhaust Gas Purification

Catalyst technology for exhaust gas purification plays a crucial role in effectively decreasing air pollutants emitted by various sources, including factories and automobiles. In this regard, the catalytic materials are widely employed to eliminate detrimental substances like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and odors, which are originated from diverse processes such as chemical, printing, food, environmental treatment, electrical & electronic processes. In this endeavor, we aim to create advanced catalyst materials that exhibit high performance, as well as thermal and chemical durability, thereby contributing the improvement of air quality, reduction in post-treatment costs, and the prevention of global climate and environmental changes.